HazMat Team Responds to Mercury Spill in Gogebic County

The Upper Peninsula Regional Hazardous Material Team responded to a mercury spill at a home in Gogebic County Wednesday. 

Authorities responded to the home around 3:30 Wednesday afternoon in the Township of Erwin. 

They say the homeowner was cleaning the basement and knocked over a glass bottle of Mercury on to the concrete floor.  The homeowner evacuated the structure and called 911. 

The HazMat team recovered 3 ounces of mercury from the scene, along with several contaminated items. 

The Western UP Health Department is assisting the family. 

Mercury is a liquid metal that was formerly used in thermometers, switches and blood equipment.  Studies show that it is highly toxic, even in small amounts.